Rockford deacon Lou Ness to embark on 800-mile march to D.C. in name of poverty

Wednesday

Mar 5, 2014 at 6:38 PMMar 5, 2014 at 6:38 PM

By Susan VelaRockford Register Star

Hypocrisy pushed the Episcopalian Deacon Lou Ness to the utmost spiritual limits in August, when she heard God's voice.

His direction was clear: "Walk out the door of the church. Walk to Washington, D.C., and say you have not heard the cry of my people. I'm taking the stories of the people who live in poverty across this part of the country, from Rockford to D.C.

"For many people in our country, the American Dream is really the American Nightmare. It's time that we as people of faith step up in another way, that we take action different, that we not wait, that we move."

On April 1, otherwise known as April Fool's Day, she'll embark down State Street for a nearly 800-mile march to the nation's capital. Then, a tentative six- to eight-week itinerary will have her hiking to Congress' home base, collecting true stories of poverty from those who wish to share.

She's already breaking in some minimalist shoes. And praying. She's doing a lot of praying for the travels that will have her still conducting her day job via the wonders of technology. Churches, synagogues and temples in six states are likely to shelter her along the way.

However, "I'm prepared to tent," said Ness, who will rely on donations rather than money from the Shelter Care Ministries' annual budget of approximately $1.1 million.

Shelter Care was established in 1984. The agency now operates programs for homeless families, the mentally ill and the unemployed.

Ness' Ash Wednesday audience was comprised of approximately 30, a handful of which bore a cross of ashes across their foreheads.

Mark Trotter, a 59-year-old man who has relied on Shelter Care's services for a decade, spoke as a potential disciple in Ness' march.

"Let's transform Rockford," he said. "Let's do it together. I want to go on the walk with her."

Ness isn't sure who she'll speak to once she arrives in Washington, D.C. But she hopes to have testimonies that speak to statistics appearing in Shelter Care's written materials such as:

n More than 46 million Americans, or 15 percent of the population, live below the official U.S. government poverty line.

n Illinois' rate is also 15 percent, with nearly 1.9 million people living in poverty. Rockford has a higher rate of 23.5 percent.

Shelter Care's Board President Pamela Hillenbrand said Ness' upcoming march reminds her of Jesus' Lenten walk to Jerusalem.

"An important question today is if not now, when? If not us, who?" she said. "This holy calling came to Lou Ness but it doesn't end there. It's moved beyond Lou, and it involves all of us. And it is growing.

"This call and this opportunity is way too big for just Shelter Care. If you are so inclined, support the march. You might want to march out of Rockford with Lou. The time is now."